Positioning mechanism for tilt steering

Abstract

A positive lock mechanism having a compression spring rod with a housing, a rod member having an inner end in said housing and an outer end axially outwardly of a housing end. One or more compression springs extend between a guide member and an end of the housing. A positive locking mechanism is provided to prevent movement of the rod member in a longitudinal direction. The lock mechanism is controlled by a wire and cable assembly operated by a lever.

1. A positive lock mechanism assembly, comprising:
 a compression spring rod assembly comprising a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends; 
 a rod member coaxial with said longitudinal axis and having an inner end in said housing and an outer end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends; 
 said rod member comprises at least one slot between said inner and outer ends thereof; 
 a guide member on said inner end of said rod member for supporting said rod member during movement of said rod member; 
 a pair of compression springs extending between said guide member and one of said opposite ends of said housing; and 
 a pin having a first portion which is selectively inserted into said at least one slot for preventing movement of said rod member in a longitudinal direction, said pin extending within an opening in a housing member mounted adjacent one of said opposite ends of said housing, said pin having a second portion surrounded by a spring for biasing said pin in a locking position. 
 
   
   
     2. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said pin first portion has a diameter greater than said pin second portion. 
   
   
     3. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 2 , wherein said pin is attached to a cable for selectively moving said pin. 
   
   
     4. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 3 , further comprising a lever operably connected to said cable for controlling movement of said pin. 
   
   
     5. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one slot comprises a plurality of slots equally spaced apart along a length of said rod member. 
   
   
     6. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said pin comprises hardened steel. 
   
   
     7. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a direction of winding of one of said pair of compression springs is opposite to a direction of winding of another of said pair of compression springs. 
   
   
     8. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an outside diameter of one of said pair of compression springs is less than an outside diameter of another of said pair of compression springs. 
   
   
     9. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a bushing adjacent said one of said opposite ends supporting said rod member for reciprocation axially of said housing between extended and retracted positions relative thereto. 
   
   
     10. The positive lock mechanism assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said pair of compression springs extend between said guide member and said bushing coaxial with said axis for biasing said rod member toward the extended position thereof. 
   
   
     11. The positive lock mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting member having an opening for receiving said pin, said mounting member being mounted adjacent one of said axial ends of said housing. 
   
   
     12. A tilt steering lock assembly comprising:
 a tilt steering column comprising a first tilt section and a second tilt section, wherein said first tilt section is operated by a manual lever connected thereto; 
 a compression spring rod assembly comprising:
 a housing having a longitudinal axis and axially opposite ends; 
 a pair of compression springs extending between said housing at axially opposite ends; 
 a rod member coaxial with said longitudinal axis and having an inner end in said housing adjacent said compression springs and an outer end axially outwardly of one of said opposite ends; 
 said rod member comprises at least one slot between said inner and outer ends thereof; and, 
 a pin having a first portion which is selectively inserted into said at least one slot for preventing movement of said rod in a longitudinal direction, and a second portion, coaxial to said first portion, which is surrounded by a spring. 
 
 
   
   
     13. The tilt steering lock assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said pin first portion has a greater diameter than said second portion of said pin. 
   
   
     14. The tilt steering lock assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said pin is attached to a cable for moving said pin. 
   
   
     15. The tilt steering lock assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a lever operably connected to said cable for controlling movement of said pin. 
   
   
     16. The tilt steering lock assembly of  claim 12 , wherein said at least one slot comprises a plurality of slots equally spaced apart along a length of said rod member. 
   
   
     17. The tilt steering lock assembly of  claim 12 , wherein a direction of winding of one of said pair of compression springs is opposite to a direction of winding of another of said pair of compression springs. 
   
   
     18. The tilt steering lock assembly of  claim 12 , wherein an outside diameter of one of said pair of compression springs is less than an outside diameter of another of said pair of compression springs.